Best Things to See in Antalya Old Town (2025)

Hadrian’s Gate, or Üçkapılar, is one of the most famous landmarks in Antalya. Built in 130 AD to honour the Roman Emperor Hadrian, this triumphal arch once served as the grand entrance to the ancient city. Made of white marble with intricate Corinthian columns, it has three elegant arches that still welcome visitors into Kaleiçi today. Walking beneath the gate feels like stepping through time, linking modern Antalya to its Roman past.

The gate is one of the most photogenic spots in the city, particularly when sunlight filters through its arches and highlights the carvings above. You can still see traces of chariot grooves on the stone paving, a reminder of the centuries of travellers who have passed this way. It’s a perfect starting point for exploring the Old Town since it marks the transition from the bustling city centre into Antalya’s oldest quarter.

Surrounding the gate are cafés and small shops where you can pause for Turkish coffee and people-watch. Early morning or late afternoon is the best time to visit, avoiding the midday crowds and capturing the golden light on the marble.

The Clock Tower stands proudly at the edge of Kaleiçi, where the ancient walls once protected the city. Built in 1901 to commemorate the 25th year of Sultan Abdulhamid II’s reign, it remains a key landmark and meeting point for locals. The tower’s square design, rough stone construction, and historic clock faces reflect both Ottoman style and early modern craftsmanship.

Visitors can’t enter the tower, but it’s worth admiring from all angles. The structure sits beside Republic Square, one of the liveliest areas in the city, surrounded by markets and street vendors. At night, the tower is beautifully illuminated, casting a warm glow across the surrounding plaza. It’s a great spot to take photographs or simply soak in the atmosphere of the old and new Antalya merging together.

From here, you can easily explore the nearby bazaars and continue toward Hadrian’s Gate or the marina. The Clock Tower also makes a perfect orientation point if you’re wandering without a map.

This 17th-century Ottoman mosque is one of the most elegant in Antalya. Named after Lala Mehmet Pasha, it stands near the city’s main square and is a striking example of Ottoman architecture blended with local craftsmanship. The mosque’s high dome and semi-domes create a balanced, graceful silhouette against the sky.

Inside, visitors are welcomed by a serene space adorned with Quranic inscriptions and colourful tiles. The stained-glass windows filter soft light onto the carpets below, creating a peaceful atmosphere perfect for reflection. While modest in size compared to imperial mosques elsewhere in Turkey, its artistry and spiritual calm make it a must-see stop on your walk through Kaleiçi.

Respectful visitors are welcome outside of prayer times, and scarves are provided for those who need them. It’s also one of the few places in Antalya where you can experience the spiritual rhythm of local life amid centuries of history.

At the base of Kaleiçi’s cliffs lies the Old City Marina, once a bustling Roman harbour and now one of Antalya’s most charming spots. Fishing boats, yachts, and tour vessels line the docks, and the turquoise water reflects the colourful façades of surrounding buildings. It’s a living reminder of Antalya’s maritime past and an ideal place to unwind after exploring the Old Town.

The marina’s restaurants and cafés offer great views of the sea and the boats gently rocking in the water. You can enjoy a Turkish coffee, fresh seafood, or a cold drink while watching the sunset. Boat tours depart regularly, taking visitors along the coast for panoramic views of the city and the cliffs.

In the evening, the area comes alive with music and soft lighting. The marina’s relaxed yet lively atmosphere makes it one of the best places to see in Antalya and a highlight of any walking tour through Kaleiçi.

Rising high above the city, the Yivli Minaret is Antalya’s defining landmark. Built in the 13th century by the Seljuk Sultan Alaaddin Keykubad I, its name means “grooved” or “fluted,” referring to the minaret’s distinctive ribbed design. Decorated with turquoise tiles, it stands beside the mosque of the same name and can be seen from almost anywhere in the city centre.

The Yivli Minaret complex also includes a former dervish lodge and tombs from the Seljuk period. Walking around the grounds gives visitors a real sense of Antalya’s medieval history and its role as a hub of Islamic learning and culture. The craftsmanship of the brickwork and the elegant proportions make it one of the most beautiful examples of Seljuk architecture in southern Turkey.

Nearby, the open plaza is often filled with street performers, vendors, and travellers pausing to admire the view. It’s one of the best places to start or end a walking tour of Kaleiçi, offering a perfect blend of culture, history, and atmosphere.

Perched on the edge of Karaalioglu Park, Hıdırlık Tower is an ancient Roman watchtower that has stood guard over Antalya’s cliffs for nearly 2,000 years. Believed to have been built in the 2nd century AD, the structure once served both as a defensive outpost and a lighthouse. Its cylindrical top rises from a square base, creating a simple yet powerful silhouette overlooking the sea.

Although the interior isn’t open to visitors, the area around the tower is one of the most scenic spots in Antalya. From here, you can gaze out over the marina, the Mediterranean, and the distant Taurus Mountains. It’s particularly beautiful at sunset, when the light turns the stone walls golden and the sea below deep blue.

Many visitors come here to relax in the nearby park cafés or take photographs of the view. It’s easy to reach from Kaleiçi on foot, making it a rewarding stop to end your day’s exploration.

The Kesik Minaret, or Broken Minaret, is one of the most evocative symbols of Kaleiçi’s layered past. Originally built as a Roman temple, later converted into a Byzantine church, and then into a mosque, the structure has seen centuries of change. Today, its partially ruined form stands as a powerful reminder of Antalya’s shifting cultural landscape.

The site offers visitors a rare look at architectural transitions over time. You can see the remains of columns, arches, and stone carvings from different eras side by side. Although the minaret itself was damaged by fire in the 19th century, its base remains, framing the skyline above the old streets.

Recent restorations have stabilized the site, allowing visitors to walk around safely and admire its details up close. The Broken Minaret is not just a ruin — it’s a silent storyteller of Antalya’s history, faith, and resilience.

Tucked away in a restored Ottoman mansion, this small but charming museum showcases Antalya’s cultural heritage. The Suna & İnan Kıraç Museum combines ethnography, art, and architecture, presenting traditional Turkish life through recreated rooms, costumes, and artefacts. The building itself, with its wooden balconies and inner courtyard, is a beautifully preserved example of 19th-century urban design.

Inside, exhibits depict scenes from daily life, including weddings, family gatherings, and local crafts. The museum also highlights the city’s multicultural history, featuring influences from Greek, Ottoman, and Mediterranean traditions. It’s an intimate, human-scale glimpse into Antalya’s past that complements the grandeur of its monuments.

Because it’s rarely crowded, the museum offers a quiet moment of reflection amid the busy Old Town streets. It’s a rewarding stop for those who appreciate history and architecture on a personal level.

Hidden at the foot of the cliffs below Kaleiçi, Mermerli Beach is the city’s oldest bathing spot and one of its most picturesque. Accessible by stairs from the marina area, the beach is small but beautifully framed by turquoise waters and rocky cliffs. It’s the perfect place to cool off after a morning of sightseeing.

Facilities include sunbeds, umbrellas, and a beachside café serving snacks and drinks. The water is calm and clear, ideal for swimming and snorkelling. The atmosphere is relaxed, with a mix of locals and travellers enjoying the sunshine.

From the beach, you’ll have a great view of the harbour and the open sea. Arrive early if you want a sunbed, as space is limited — especially during summer.

Located just south of Kaleiçi, Karaalioglu Park is one of Antalya’s most beloved green spaces, where the old city walls give way to sweeping views over the Mediterranean. The park’s entrance is a natural continuation of your Old Town walk, lined with palm trees and flowerbeds that open onto shaded pathways and sculptures. It’s an inviting place to pause after exploring the narrow streets and historical sites nearby.

The park’s most striking feature is its cliffside viewpoint. From here, the turquoise water stretches endlessly beneath the rugged coastline, framed by the distant Taurus Mountains. The sound of the waves crashing far below adds to the tranquil atmosphere, making this one of the most peaceful spots in central Antalya. Benches scattered along the edge invite visitors to linger and take in the view.

At sunset, Karaalioglu Park transforms into a favourite gathering place for locals and travellers alike. The sky glows in shades of gold and pink, and the sea reflects the light in shimmering hues. Street vendors often sell roasted corn or ice cream, and the park’s cafés offer relaxed seating with front-row views of the coastline — an ideal end to any day in the Old Town.

Atatürk Monument and Republic Square form the symbolic heart of Antalya. This open plaza, located at the northern entrance to Kaleiçi, celebrates modern Turkey’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. His bronze equestrian statue stands tall against a backdrop of palm trees and the blue Mediterranean beyond. It’s not just a historical landmark but also a social centre where locals meet, stroll, and enjoy public events.

During the day, Republic Square is lively with street performers, food stalls, and families out for a walk. From here, visitors can easily reach key attractions like the Clock Tower, Hadrian’s Gate, and the Old Bazaar, making it a natural starting point for any exploration of Antalya’s Old Town. The plaza’s elevated location also offers a panoramic glimpse of the marina below, connecting the modern city with its ancient roots.

In the evenings, the square becomes beautifully illuminated, creating a calm and atmospheric place to relax. Locals gather on benches to chat as the city lights reflect off the water in the distance. It’s one of those places where Antalya’s energy and serenity come together perfectly — a spot that feels both monumental and familiar at the same time.